Bishop of Lincoln 'in love' with diocese ahead of enthronement

Bishop Conway said he was delighted to be able to serve the people of the diocese

The new Bishop of Lincoln has said he has "fallen in love" with Lincolnshire since taking up the post.

The Rt Revd Stephen Conway made his comment ahead of his enthronement on Saturday as the 73rd Bishop of Lincoln.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the service at Lincoln Cathedral, including civic dignitaries, clergy, and parishioners.

Bishop Conway said his aim for the church was for it to be at "the heart of the community".

Speaking ahead of the service during which he will be installed by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Will Adam, Bishop Conway said he was delighted to be able to serve the people of Lincolnshire.

Although he was officially appointed to the role in May, the service is one of the final official procedures in the process.

Bishop Conway said he wanted the church to be at the heart of the community in Lincolnshire

As part of the day, Bishop Conway will be escorted to the cathedral from the church of St Peter in Eastgate by around 30 pupils from local schools.

The service will begin when he knocks three times with his crosier on the historic place of worship's great west door.

The crosier, also known as a pastoral staff, is an important symbol of a bishop's ministry, reflecting their role as "shepherd of the flock of God".

Bishop Conway has been in the role in an acting capacity since November 2021 following the retirement of former bishop, the Right Reverend Christopher Lowson.

In a interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Bishop Conway said he had spent time with clergy across the diocese to better understand "how we can work together to create vibrant and flourishing communities".

As for his workplace at the landmark cathedral, he said: "I still pinch myself. It's not a bad place to be based."

Bishop Conway grew up in London before moving to Oxford to study modern history at Keble College.

He began his training for ministry in Cambridge in 1983 and was Bishop of Ely for 13 years before additionally being appointed in Lincoln.